College is right around the corner. Here are scholarships open to high school seniors who are off to college in the fall.

Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award
Sponsor: The Mitford Museum & Discovery Center
Amount: Up to $750
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: Award is open to U.S. photographers aged 8-22. Photographers are invited to submit black-and-white and color photos captured on a cell phone, based on the theme Food and Family.

Clarence & Barbara Taliaferro Scholarship
Sponsor: Darryl Taliaferro Ministries
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students. Applicant must submit a completed application.

Dependent Children Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to Tennessee residents who are dependent children of Tennessee law enforcement officers, firemen, or an emergency medical service technicians who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment. Applicant must be an incoming or current undergraduate student at a Tennessee institution of higher education.

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Sponsor: From the Top
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: Award is open to classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers between the ages of 8 and 18 who have not yet entered college during the 2026-2027 academic year. This is the first deadline. Deadline II is November 9, 2026.

Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program
Sponsor: American Red Cross
Amount: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: September 7, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to all high school and college students. Applicant must host an American Red Cross blood drive between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Youth Free Expression Film Contest: Documenting Our Democracy
Sponsor: National Coalition Against Censorship
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: September 9, 2026
Description: Contest is open to individuals living in the U.S. or its territories (but need not be citizens) who will be age 19 or younger on the day the film is submitted. Contestant must create a three minute film on this year’s theme: “Documenting Our Democracy.”

Be the Boss Scholarship
Sponsor: Go Skills
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: September 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to female high school and college students who want to start their own online business.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Sponsor: Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Amount: Up to $250,000
Closing Date: September 15, 2026
Description: Competition is open to students between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age. Applicant must explain a big scientific idea in physics, life sciences or mathematics with a short video two minutes maximum).

Gates Scholarship
Sponsor: The Gates Scholarship
Amount: Cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the EFC
Closing Date: September 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to exceptional, Pell-eligible, minority, high school seniors who are student leaders. Ideal candidates will have an outstanding academic record in high school (top 10% of graduating class), demonstrated leadership ability, and exceptional personal success skills.

Trust Fund Higher Education Scholarship
Sponsor: Delaware Tribe of Indians
Amount: Up to $3,200
Closing Date: September 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to Delaware Tribal members attending college. Applicant must have at least a 2.7 GPA in the last semester they attended.

Innovation in Education Scholarship
Sponsor: LaTutors
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: September 20, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in high school or college within the United States with at least 3.0 GPA. Applicant must be a citizen of, permanent resident, or hold a valid student visa in the United States or Canada. Applicant must have designed an innovative project that makes a difference in the lives of others and submit an essay describing the goal of the particular project and provide supporting documentation.

AT&T/The Network BICP – Lewis Latimer Scholarship
Sponsor: AT&T/NETwork BICP | UNCF
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: September 21, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to African American incoming and current undergraduate students enrolled in the targeted STEAM fields at any accredited four-year college or university during the current academic year.

Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship
Sponsor: BBB Pacific Southwest
Amount: Up to $1,500
Closing Date: September 27, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students in grade 9-12 (graduating classes of 2027-2030) residing and enrolled in school in Orange County (California). Applicant must submit an essay on a ethical issue that they faced and how they handled it.

Because College is Expensive Scholarship
Sponsor: Cedar Education Lending
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school students, adults looking to head back to school, current college students, and anyone looking to attend college or graduate school within 12 months. Applicant must submit a short form.

Building Bridges Scholarship
Sponsor: National Parent Volunteer Association
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Applicant must have at least a 2.5 GPA and have a commitment to volunteering and making a difference in their communities.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Sponsor: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Amount: Up to $20,000
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current high school seniors attending school in the United States. Program recognizes students for their capacity to lead and service, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

College JumpStart Scholarship
Sponsor: The College JumpStart Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students in 10th through 12th grades, college students, and non-traditional students. Applicant must submit a short essay on their educational goals or how these scholarship will help them attain their goals.

College Raptor Scholarship
Sponsor: College Raptor
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to student who are enrolled (or will enroll no later than the fall of 2028) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher learning. Applicant must sign up with College Raptor (free) and submit an essay one of four given topics related to college.

Courage to Grow Scholarship
Sponsor: Courage To Grow
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to juniors and seniors in high school and college students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Applicant must explain in 250 words or less why they believe they should be awarded the scholarship.

Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
Sponsor: Digital Responsibility
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school students in grades 9-12 and current college or graduate school students. Applicant must complete a short form and share a 140-character statement explaining why they will not text and drive.

FACT Scholarship
Sponsor: Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT)
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and incoming and current college students. Scholarship is only open to FACT members and their immediate family members.

I Can Do Anything Scholarship
Sponsor: The Scholarship Collective
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school, undergraduate, graduate, community college, trade and vocational school students in the United States who are enrolled or planning to enroll in college. In less than 100 words, applicant must share their biggest goal in life.

Naval and Maritime Photo Contest
Sponsor: U.S. Naval Institute
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to amateur and professional photographers. Applicant must submit an original photo that can cover any subject and should pertain to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, or the sea itself.

No Sweat Scholarship
Sponsor: Cirkled In
Amount: $2,500.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 13 years of age or older who are legal residents of the United States or the District of Columbia. Applicant must create a free Circkled in account.

R2C Scholarship
Sponsor: Return2College
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to U.S. citizens and legal residents who are starting a program of higher education (college or graduate school) within the next 12 months or are currently enrolled. Applicant must be 17 years of age or older (there is no maximum age limit). Applicant must share in three sentences of less why they are getting their degree.

Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest
Sponsor: Regions Financial Corporation
Amount: $8,000.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Contest is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who are residents of an eligible state (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas). Applicant must submit an essay or video on who has inspired them.

Scholarship Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Live Poets Society of New Jersey
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to all U.S. high school students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.

Shout It Out Scholarship
Sponsor: Unigo
Amount: $1,500.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students 14 years of age or older who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and are currently enrolled (or will enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education in the future. Applicant will need to submit a short response to a given prompt.

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship
Sponsor: Access Scholarships
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school, college, and graduate school students of all years who are U.S. residents, DACA and undocumented students, or international students currently studying in the U.S.

AU Student Essay Contest
Sponsor: Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Amount: Up to $1,500
Closing Date: October 5, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors in the United States. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to the separation of religion and government.

Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship
Sponsor: BBB Pacific Southwest
Amount: Up to $1,500
Closing Date: October 11, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students in grade 9-12 (graduating classes of 2027-2030) residing and enrolled in school in Greater Arizona. Applicant must submit an essay on a ethical issue that they faced and how they handled it.

Questbridge Scholars
Sponsor: Questbridge
Amount: Full Tuition
Closing Date: October 1, 2026
Description: Program is open to high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the United States. Applicant must have primarily A’s in the most challenging courses available, be in the top 5-10% of their graduating class, and have strong standardized test scores (if taken). Finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a family of four, and often less. The program is only open for students considering one or more of Questbridge’s college partners (see website for details). Often finalists are first generation college students.

Strong Arm Leukemia Scholarship
Sponsor: John Foy & Associates
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students who have been affected by leukemia, either by being diagnosed themselves or someone they loved being diagnosed with leukemia. Applicant must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university as an undergraduate or is an incoming freshmen at an accredited institution in the United States.

$1,500 Easy Scholarship: Offline Mode
Sponsor: DoSomething
Amount: $1,500.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: No post, comment, or like is worth risking a life. Distracted driving claimed 3,208 lives in 2024, and you chose to Do Something about it! Share your story about why you chose to take the Offline Mode pledge, help your firends stay in #OfflineMode by sharing the pledge and toolkit, and show your community what it looks like to keep eyes on the road, and not on your feed. Submit your impact, and share why you took the offline Mode pledge and what going offline means to you. You’ll be eligible for the opportunity to earn up to a $1,500 scholarship.

CareerFitter Online Scholarship
Sponsor: CareerFitter
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students. Applicant must take a free career test and submit an essay on their perfect career.

Safety on the Road Scholarship
Sponsor: Lone Star Injury Attorneys
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students in the United States who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicant must submit an essay discussing their idea for improving road safety and the potential results of their proposed change.

Whistleblower Education Scholarship
Sponsor: Tony Munter Whistleblower Attorney
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to undergraduate, graduate, and law school students, as well as incoming college freshman at an accredited U.S. school. Applicant must submit an essay on a time they have stood up for something they believe in or a time they spoke out against wrongdoing.

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Sponsor: From the Top
Amount: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: November 9, 2026
Description: Award is open to classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers between the ages of 8 and 18 who have not yet entered college during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Fields of Corn Photo Contest
Sponsor: National Corn Growers Association
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: November 17, 2026
Description: Contest is open to legal residents of the United States. Applicant must submit a photo that helps tell the story of farming field corn in America.

Illinois State Credit Union Scholarship
Sponsor: Illinois State Credit Union
Amount: Up to $2,000
Closing Date: November 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students between the age of 18 and 25 who are residents of the state of Illinois in McLean, Logan, DeWitt, Livingston, Stephenson, Winnebago, or LaSalle County. Applicant must be a member of Illinois State Credit Union in good standing.

Micklin Law Group Scholarship
Sponsor: The Micklin Law Group
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: December 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who will be attending college in the fall. Applicant must submit a personal essay sharing their greatest strength and weakness.

Tommy Tranchin Award
Sponsor: The Dallas Foundation
Amount: Up to $3,000
Closing Date: December 31, 2026
Description: Award is open to North Texas students in grades 8-12 who have a physical, emotional, or intellectual disability.

Kelsey’s Law Scholarship
Sponsor: Michigan Auto Law
Amount: Up to $2,000
Closing Date: March 1, 2027
Description: Scholarship is open to 11th and 12th grade students (class of 2027 and 2028) attending any public or private Michigan high schools and have a valid Michigan driver’s license. Applicant must submit a video, graphic, or Tweet that resonates with teens and influences their driving behavior (reduce distracted driving).

Paradigm Challenge
Sponsor: Project Paradigm
Amount: Up to $100,000
Closing Date: May 1, 2027
Description: Challenge is open to students aged 4 to 18 years of age worldwide. Applicants may work in a team or alone to use kindness, creativity, and collaboration to help solve real-life problems.

Food Dreams Scholarship
Sponsor: Food Dreams
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: Rolling
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who are/will be pursuing a degree in culinary arts. Applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be willing to commit to at least one year of employment in several Jean-Georges restaurant properties if selected for the scholarship.